Human Rights Watch condemns Qatar over jailing of Bahai leader

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has criticised Qatar for handing a five-year jail sentence to the leader of the country's Bahai community, denouncing it as an attack on his religious freedom.

Remy Rowhani, 71, president of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahais in Qatar, was sentenced Wednesday to five years in prison by a Doha court for violating public order and religious and social values.

HRW said Rowhani was being targeted "solely for exercising his rights to freedom of expression and religion".

According to the group, Rowhani's sentence came as a result of his promoting the Bahai faith on social media.

The Bahai community, which says it has more than 7 million followers worldwide, follows the teachings of Bahaullah, born in Iran in 1817, whom it regards as a prophet.

"Locking up Remy Rowhani for five years on a series of charges... based solely on his religious identity and activities within the Baha'i community in Qatar constitutes a serious violation... of human rights," said Michael Page, HRW's deputy Middle East and North Africa director.

"The Qatari authorities should respect fundamental freedoms and immediately release Rowhani."

Citing court documents, the group said Rowhani was convicted, among other things, of "promoting ideas that question the foundations and teachings of Islam".

Qatar's constitution officially prohibits any "discrimination based on sex, origin, language, or religion" and emphasises "freedom of worship".

However, between 2003 and 2025, Qatari authorities "expelled up to 14 members of the community for no apparent reason other than their membership in the Baha'i faith," according to HRW.

Remy Rowhani was arrested last April under Qatar's cybercrime law for posts made on an anonymous account, only months after being released from prison following a one-month sentence.